Cell phones have changed the way we interact with our friends and family, how we work, and how we manage our day. They’ve made us excellent multi-taskers by giving us the world at our fingertips. Yet, sadly, they’ve also made us worse drivers. Throughout the last decade, drivers have been increasingly more distracted behind the wheel and cell phones are largely to blame. Even though the majority of states have enacted some form of distracted driving laws, cell phone car accident cases continue to be a common legal problem.
While cell phones certainly have changed the way we drive – they’ve also changed the way car accident cases are handled. In fact, they’ve changed car accident cases in numerous ways:
- Laws Enacted – cell phones and drivers’ increasing dependence on them has resulted in laws being passed across the country. Federal bans on cell phone use by interstate commerce drivers have also been passed.
- Claiming Fault – plaintiffs have argued and won cases where they claimed fault because of a distracted driver. If a driver is caught texting and driving, they can be found liable for the accident and the damages that have been caused.
- Research – plaintiffs and their lawyers have used cell phones to document accident scenes and help gather data. With a cell phone, injured drivers are still able to snap pictures of the accident scene, the crash damage, and their injuries. These pictures can be useful when trying to establish liability and they can help in the investigation.
Using a cell phone when you are behind the wheel of a car is a dangerous decision – and in many states it is illegal. But what about Colorado? In the state of Colorado, regular cell phone use for voice calls is permitted and headphones may be worn in one ear for this purpose. However, texting and driving or browsing the internet is not allowed by law when behind the wheel. Minors under the age of 18-years-old, however, are prohibited from using a cell phone while driving for any reason. This includes voice calling, phone calls, text messages, or any other form of use.
Further Reading: Safe Driving Tips for Teenage Drivers
There are some exceptions to the Colorado cell phone laws under specific circumstances. Any driver in Colorado can use a cell phone in any manner to contact a public safety entity or during an emergency. If you believe your life is in danger or if you are reporting an accident or other hazard, you are allowed to use your cell phone when behind the wheel of a car.
Contact Our Experienced Cell Phone Car Accident Lawyers
If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident in Arvada, Northglenn, Thornton, or anywhere in Northern Colorado, the steps you take immediately after your accident can significantly impact your ability to collect the money you need. At Hull & Zimmerman, P.C., our dedicated car accident lawyers are here to help. Contact us at (303) 423-1770 or (866) 385-3505.
Our car accident lawyers have extensive experience representing injured accident victims in Broomfield, Arvada, Superior, Lafayette, Louisville, Erie, Brighton, Commerce City, Northglenn, Westminster, Thornton, Longmont, and throughout Colorado.
